Welcome to Course One of Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR! In these first 4 Modules you will gain the knowledge and the confidence that will help you make good choices as you consider qualities of the camera you own, and the qualities of the other types of digital cameras you might be considering. You will learn about the basic functions that most digital cameras have in common. You will also go beyond the "technical" matters and learn about how you can make exciting pictures by emphasizing the aspects of Frame and Vantage Point to interpret old subjects in new ways. Discovering accessories that photographers find useful, and the types of camera bags from mini to carry-on sized, is also in store for you. You will also make your first photographs and, if you are a subscriber to the specialization, upload pictures to the web gallery and start interacting with your fellow learners in our "Gallery." Let's get started with Module One!

EH

One of the nice things about this course, is that it challenges one to DO something - take photos. My trusty old point-and-shoot doesn't know what has hit it - it has never worked so hard before.

VG

Sep 29, 2017

Filled StarFilled StarFilled StarFilled StarFilled Star

Great course, with amazing faculty team. Very professional, well tailored content and helpful for any beginner to pro. Looking forward to stay on and complete the specialization. Am impressed.

Из урока

WELCOME, OVERVIEW, and FUNDAMENTALS

Welcome to the Module One of Course One, where we will begin our journey together to gain the knowledge and skills that will help you take control of your photography! The world of digital photography presents so many "tech" options that it can be quite confusing. Throughout this Course and Specialization, we will be sorting through the various functions, menus, and also the good old focus and exposure and camera craft aspects, so you can build a foundation for success. We'll start with some Basics, and keep building!

Преподаватели

Peter Glendinning

Professor

Mark Valentine Sullivan

Associate Professor

Текст видео

[MUSIC] It's time to meet the professors and I guess we'll start with me. Well here's a photograph that shows my Boy Scout Merit Badge. When I was 12 years old I earned the merit badge in photography, and also the merit badge in citizenship in the United States. Those two things have been very important to me for my whole life, actually. I went on to college, Syracuse University, earned two bachelors degrees. One in political science, that's one side of me, and the other side in photojournalism, that's the other side. After I graduated I became a taxi driver in New York City to earn a living and occupy myself while I was making photographs down in New York and trying to figure out what to do next. I went to law school actually after that and studied law for about two years. And then I decided, the other side of my brain really wants me more than the left side. So I walked over to the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University, and started my studies in photography at the master's degree level. 1978, Michigan State University offered me a job, and now here I am teaching you. My very first photo book was Edward Steichen's autobiography, actually. A Life in Photography, published in 1963 was a really, really important thing for me. This man was incredible in terms of the career that he had throughout so many different iterations of that word photography and the profession. Very much of an influence on me in terms of work ethic and approaching photography is something you could do from a lot of different directions. I'm either a dilettante or a virtuoso, that'll be up to you to figure out and decide for yourself. I'm still a reader today. I read constantly and a lot of it is about photography, and I've got a suggestion for you. Go to L 'Oeill de la Photographie, sign up, and every morning you'll get an email with some wonderful, amazing, interesting news about photography from around the world. I've had a career at Michigan State in the art department doing any number of things. I published a book, actually Prentice Hall published my book, Color Photography. I've created photographs for Fortune 100 companies, non-profits, United Auto Workers, just about everybody and I've had exhibits in major museums and the tiniest of galleries. And you can learn a lot more about me at this website which is the site for the art department at Michigan State. You can learn even more if you care to, by going to peterglendinning.com. And whether I'm photographing trees, or I'm photographing people, just about anything else. Photographs are driven by curiosity about what lies beneath the surface, can be expressed by showing the surface. It's true whether I was making the official photograph for the governor of the State of Michigan, John Engler, which I did. Or this portrait of a farm worker who happens to be a christian pastor on the weekends. Highest honor that I have received professionally was being named among the best of 2015 by the American Society for Media Photographers for the series entitled, My Paris. You can read a lengthy interview about me and by me and of me and learn more at this site. ASMP is the premier advocate for photographers' copyrights and professional practices throughout the world and I recommend that you look them up too. Something I like you to know about me is that just like you there are times when I struggle to get control of my camera and get in touch which what's essential. And make pictures that will convey the expressions that I feel are important. Still consider myself a student and I have a passion to create that keeps me motivated to solve problems, and I'm sure that you do too. The real privilege teaching you in this format. Thank you for joining with us, in this community of learners, and for helping yourself and others grow throughout the course. As you contribute your photographs and your comments in our review sessions. [MUSIC]